Michèle Jedlicka
The purity of a horse’s need and their sense of survival is a very humbling feeling. I often feel a little foolish talking to clients about it, since it is at the very core of a horse, but something people tend to keep concealed. But when it comes to horses, you have to discuss it; you have to talk about how they feel and how they are trying to cope with the life we impose upon them. I have had the privilege of working with many horses over the last few years, and I have never found in one a shred of anything except a level of honesty that I won’t ever achieve, and I doubt I’ll find in another human. I see my job as a kind of middle ground for both horse and owner to help them understand each other better.
My own journey stated when I got my first horse. A friend suggested an elderly Appaloosa mare she knew was looking for a home. Very shortly afterwards, I found herself confronted with over twenty years of trouble and desperation in the horse, and no clear way to help her.
The same friend recommended an old friend who was giving a clinic nearby. I booked for two sessions, not knowing what a clinic was, with no expectations of the clinician, horseman Harry Whitney. On the first day, I rode my mare, and I remember not having a clue about what was happening under me, or how to even ride her. Harry was probably wondering what to do with me.
But on the second day, I had a bit of courage, and I asked Harry to help out with the root of my feelings about this horse. I said I just wished she would look at me. It seemed like she was going through life as though I was not even there. Harry did some work with her in the round pen, and after a while, my horse stopped, and with what took like everything she had, turned her head to study Harry, and I remember thinking what an enormous amount of strength it took for my horse to acknowledge that human in the round pen.
Two years later, I made a commitment to myself that I would find a way to help people to help their horses in ways that were not widely available. I travelled to Australia and have spent the last several years watching horses, learning from their lives, handling and training a variety horses ranging from deeply troubled animals to babies just learning about what a person can offer, starting and re-starting horses with many needs.
So many books and videos are out there, but I have not seen or read anything that can truly illustrate the infinitely changing animal that is a horse. Second to second, they are always primed for survival. As a trainer, I can’t help but constantly develop and refine my thoughts about how each horse tries to live in our world. I work towards being as effective in the least troubling way to the horse, and how I can help people to recognize the ways their own horses are trying to learn and teach how they can change and grow in their own understanding and horsemanship.
Two years later, I made a commitment to myself that I would find a way to help people to help their horses in ways that were not widely available. I travelled to Australia and have spent the last several years watching horses, learning from their lives, handling and training a variety horses ranging from deeply troubled animals to babies just learning about what a person can offer, starting and re-starting horses with many needs.
So many books and videos are out there, but I have not seen or read anything that can truly illustrate the infinitely changing animal that is a horse. Second to second, they are always primed for survival. As a trainer, I can’t help but constantly develop and refine my thoughts about how each horse tries to live in our world. I work towards being as effective in the least troubling way to the horse, and how I can help people to recognize the ways their own horses are trying to learn and teach how they can change and grow in their own understanding and horsemanship.
Ross Jacobs
Ross has been working with horses for most of his life. As a young fellow he got the bug to compete in show jumping and dressage, but this led onto a more serious study of horse behaviour and learning an approach to his horsemanship that best suited the horses rather than being purely focused on the needs of people.
"I have heard from a lot of different sources that I am a western trainer or that I am a natural horseman or that I use a specific method. None of these things are true. I start and train horses and in the process try to help people understand their horses better."
Ross Jacobs started his career with horses from an early age with a weekend job at a Sydney riding school. He quickly took an interest in dressage and show jumping and his talents were sought by many owners who wanted Ross to compete on their horses. He began breaking-in horses during his mid-teens. He attended university where he undertook a science degree and later was awarded his doctorate in physiology. During this time he continued to educate horses and compete at a high level in the show jumping arena.
Subsequent to being awarded his PhD, Ross pursued his research interests overseas in North America and Europe. While living overseas he continued to work with horses on a casual basis. He received several contracts to start horses in countries such as France and Canada. But he also worked privately for the general public.
After several years overseas he returned to Australia and shortly after substituted his academic and research career for working full-time as a horse trainer. He has spent considerable time studying the principles of good horsemen in Australia, North America and Europe. He and Michele continue their higher education in horse training by spending several weeks each year with Harry Whitney in Arizona.
